Field data for the Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project of Carlsbad Caverns National Park

This reference is an assemblage of field data collected as part the baseline vegetation inventory for the park unit. Typical files here are vegetation plot data, accuracy assessment data, field photos, PDF showing locations of vegetation plots and accuracy assessment data, and other data for this type. A total of 651 plant voucher specimens for 244 species were collected to confirm field identifications and were deposited at the University of New Mexico Herbarium. Specimens were identified to lowest level possible given the material at hand (typically to the species and lower) and with nomenclature following the PLANTS database (USDA-NRCS 2002). An additional 191 common species were not vouchered. A species list derived from the plot data is provided in Appendix B. All plots have at least one reference photograph, barring exposure problems. The compass direction and focal length of each shot was logged for future reference. Most photographs were taken on Ektachrome 200 slide film, but some landscape panorama shoots were shot with Kodachrome 200 print film. A subset of slides were scanned and placed on a separate data CD along with a selection of landscape and other shots of interest. All vegetation and site data were entered into a Microsoft Access 2000 database and quality controlled through error checking computer routines and manual read-backs. The complete records for all plots are provided in the Data Addendum. Each record contains the comprehensive documentation of the plot location, dimensions, vegetation composition, tree stand structure, site characteristics, vegetation classification, and photo points.

Field data for the Vegetation Mapping Inventory Project of Carlsbad Caverns National Park

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